Entamoeba histolytica

A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Entamoeba histolytica

Classification

Higher order taxa

Cellular organisms; Eukaryota; Entamoebidae; Entamoeba

Species

Entamoeba histolytica

NCBI: [1] Taxonomy

Description and Significance

Entamoeba histolytica is an anaerobic parasitic protozoan that infects the digestive tracts of predominantly humans and other primates. E. histolytica can infect dogs and cats, but these animals do not contribute significantly to transmission since they usually do not produce cysts. Cysts are the viable form of the parasite outside the host. Cysts are shed with the host's feces; they can be transmitted in water, soils and on foods under moist conditions. The active stage of the parasite is called the trophozoite, which only survives in the host and in fresh feces.

The infection of E. histolytica causes the disease, Amebiasis (a.k.a. Amoebiasis).